Remington Reece – 20 Under 40

Ebby Halliday Companies
34 | SMU

Remington Reece works as creative director for the Ebby Halliday Companies.

He started his real estate career as a design coordinator with the Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate brand before eventually taking over the brand’s full marketing efforts. Now, he oversees creative execution for all Ebby Halliday Companies and their affiliated services.

“Our brokerage brands are dominant players in the real estate markets for both neighborhoods as well as being North Texas’ top real estate firm, and there are incredible opportunities for community involvement that have come as a result,” Reece said. “We’re proud to be deeply connected to schools, events, and organizations throughout the Park Cities and Preston Hollow.”

Through his role as creative director, Reece fosters community partnerships and describes the company as having its “proverbial finger on the pulse of the community.”

He’s been involved in initiatives including the Ronald McDonald House, Angel Tree/Salvation Army, Communities Partners of Dallas’ Holiday Toy Drives, Coats for Kids, Dallas Suicide & Crisis Center, North Oak Cliff Greenspace, and Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation.

“I dedicate a considerable portion of our marketing budget to these kinds of sponsorships,” Reece said. “While it’s an excellent way to get agents in front of potential clientele (from a business standpoint), I mostly do it because I genuinely believe it’s fundamentally important to put money behind the community as much as we’re able to.”

He’s especially proud of developing the creative, messaging, and execution for a campaign supporting the North Texas Food Bank, which Ebby Halliday Companies kicked into gear during the pandemic.

“Since then, we’ve raised several hundred thousand dollars for NTFB, and I’m extremely proud to be the center of that,” he said.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I have dual citizenship — United States and United Kingdom.

What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?

Bandito’s in Snider Plaza. It’s a Park Cities institution.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career in 10 years?

I have the entrepreneurial spirit at heart, which is probably why real estate has been such a strong fit. But, long-term, I would love to have my own creative agency that services clients beyond their real estate experience.

What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?

Altruism is a philosophy that was instilled in me at a very young age from both my parents as well as my education at St. John’s School in Houston. Service first — and service above all. There was never a proverbial “Aha!” moment for me; it’s intrinsic.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

I have the entrepreneurial spirit at heart, which is probably why real estate has been such a strong fit. But, long-term, I would love to have my own creative agency that services clients beyond their real estate experience.

What’s on your bucket list?

Cliché, I’m sure — but I’ve desperately wanted to visit the Maldives ever since I was a child.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My mother, Hazle Rayne. She’s the strongest person I will ever know, and embodies the very definition of grit and tenacity. She is deaf (though received a life-changing cochlear implant several years ago), and came to Texas from Aberdeen, Scotland, with my father in the 1980s. I have never seen her quit or give up, and if I can become half as kind and compassionate as she is in my lifetime, I will die happy.

What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?

I was sitting in an accounting class at SMU and couldn’t get past how awful the spreadsheet we were studying looked — it continues to haunt me to this day. The lightbulb moment occurred when I realized I could combine everything I loved about business and analytics with knowledge of creative execution and not be bored out of my mind going over journal entries. I changed majors the next day.

How do you motivate yourself and others?

Personally, I am motivated by creative problem-solving. There are few things I enjoy more in this world than solving problems with sustainable systems or creative execution. In terms of leadership and motivating others, my philosophy is simple: promote passion, afford trust, reward ambition and initiative, and strive to be a mentor rather than a “boss.” I think the absolute worst mindset that a leader can have is “my floor is your ceiling” in terms of team member growth, and if you’re not striving to grow the team beyond your own limits, you have inherently failed as a leader.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

Cherish the present, and don’t worry about futures that haven’t unfolded. Spend more time with your family. Spend more time on the golf course. Pain is temporary; pride is forever. The world changes in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, 16 years will pass and you’ll be filling out this questionnaire.

What advice do you have for other young professionals?

My father gave me this advice when I was a bit of a hot-headed teenager, and it’s something I still frequently think about: “If you’re prepared to complain, be prepared to offer solutions — there’s a fine line between recognizing deficiencies and whining.” Times change, motivations change, situations change, and there are always improvements that can be made to systems and structure. But, if you’re only able to highlight the problem and not offer a way to move through it, you’re not contributing to the solution, you’re simply whining.

If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?

My First 34 Years, starring Henry Cavill.

Is there anything else you think we should know about you?

I’m an avid golfer and a good-enough piano player to entertain a room for about 10 minutes.